Building construction



19, 1936. w. R. HODGINS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 8, 1954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r W F T. /0 m 0 77.176.

7 igfiw ATTORNEYS w. R. HODGINS ,5 6

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR.

W/W/b'm [7047197 9 BY/6%W%M/ ATTORNEYS Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION William R. Hodgins, Grand Rapids, Mich., as-

signor of one-half to Bryan E. Collier, Grand Rapids, Mich.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a building construction consisting of fiber building members and metal coupling elements for detachably connecting said members in a variety of desired relations.

Second, to provide a building construction of this character which is especially designed for use as a toy, but which is also applicable to play houses and is even advantageous in full sized buildings.

Third, to provide an improved building construction which is simple and economical in its parts and very efficient and effective for the purpose intended. v

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Structures which are preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a building construction embodying certain features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in plan and partially in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an elongated building member having an end coupling element.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge coupling element.

Fig. 6 is a view partially in perspective and partially in section of an adapter.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in side elevation and partially in section showing how the wall panel is connected to the upper beam in the assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a view partially in section and partially in perspective showing the assembly of the lateral connecting element with the elongated building member.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the building member and end coupling element assembly of the modification.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal transverse section on line IllI of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on line I 2-I2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the elongated building members I are preferably formed of wood or fiber in various lengths for use as beams or uprights, the members being of preferably substantially square cross section and of substantially the same size. On the ends of these elongated building members, I mount coupling or connecting elements 2. Inasmuch as these coupling elements are similar, only one will be described in detail. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the coupling element 2 is in the form of a cup of square transverse section and fits the end of the elongated building member I.

The coupling element 2 consists of an inner channel 3 and an outer channel 4 preferably formed of sheet metal. Theinner channel 3 has its web 5 spaced from the end face 6 of the building member I, the web being provided with spaced slots 1, i. The flanges 8, 8 overlap opposite sides of the building member and have extensions 9 adjacent the corners thereof.

The outer channel 4 has its web I0 overlapping the web 5 of the inner channel, the web I0 being provided with tongues II, II cut therefrom and extending through the slots 1, I and securing the webs firmly together. The flanges I2, I2 of the outer channel overlap the other opposite sides of the building member and the side edges of the flanges 8, 8 of the inner channel. The flanges I2, I2 are provided with lateral keepers I3 overlapping the extensions 9 and engaging the building member and the end edges of the flanges 8, 8 of the inner channel. Thus, the parts are held together in assembled relation as a single unit.

The inner ends of the tongues I I, II are arranged between the end face 6 of the building member I and the web 5 of the inner channel 3 so that the parts are virtuallylocked together. This is a very desirable and important feature of my invention.

While I prefer to secure the coupling element 2 to the ends of the building members in the manner described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the keepers I3 and extensions 9 may be omitted from the flanges of the inner and outer webs so that the end coupling elements are readily assembled with and detached from the building members, in this case the parts being held together by friction.

The end coupling element 2 is provided with inturned tongues I4, I4 at the edges of the web I0 between the flanges of the outer channel, and a stop I5 at one edge between the tongues I4, I4. The tongues I4, I4 provide integral connecting means, the use of which will be describ in detail below. 7

Certain of the elongated building members I are provided with central longitudinally extending grooves 16 in each of their sides for coaction with the lateral connecting or coupling elements l1. Each coupling element [1 is of substantially channel shape and has inturned flanges I8 adapted for selective reception by opposed ones of the grooves l5 when the connecting element is telescoped over half of the building member [9. The flanges l8 have resilient end fingers 20 engaging the sides of the grooves for holding the parts in firmly fitting relation. A substantially square dished plate 2| is secured to the web 22 of the member ll, the edges or flanges 23 of the plate being spaced from the edges of the web to provide a peripheral groove 24 opening to the four sides of the element.

The end coupling elements 2 are adapted to be detachably engaged with the lateral coupling elements I! by alining the tongues l4, l4 with opposite sides of the groove 24 and sliding the parts transversely together until the transverse movement is limited by the engagement of the stop l5 with one side of the flange 23. This assembly is shown by Fig. 3.

The ends of the elongated building members I9 are of reduced section at 25 to provide transverse slots for the flanges N3 of the lateral coupling elements to permit the detaching of said elements from the building members. The lateral coupling elements l1 may be adjusted longitudinally of the building members l9 as desired.

Each of the corner coupling elements 28 is in the form of a hollow cube of sheet metal the faces of which are provided with out-turned triangular lugs 27. On each of the faces of the cube, I dispose a substantially square dished plate 28 having slot-like openings 29 engaged by the lugs 2! for securing the parts together. The edges or flanges 30 of the plates are spaced from the corners of the element to provide the lateral grooves 3|.

The end coupling elements 2 are detachably connected to the corner coupling elements 25 by alining the tongues l4, l4 with opposed grooves 3|, 3! and sliding the parts together untilthe stop [5 engages one side of the flange 28. The assembly is shown by Fig. 1.

The fiber panel 32 has a window 33 and is adapted to fit within the frame formed by the horizontal members l9 and the upright members I. The panel has a tongue 34 at its lower edge engaging the upwardly facing groove in the lower horizontal member, the upper edge of the panel being connected to the downwardly facing groove of the upper horizontal member by means of the turn button or keeper 35 pivoted to the panel, the keeper being adapted to be swung downwardly to clear the groove, as shown by Fig. '7. Thus, the panel 32 is adapted to be readily placed in position by inserting the tongue 34 in the upwardly facing groove of the lower horizontal member, then swinging the panel inwardly to aline its upper edge with the downwardly facing groove of the upper horizontal member and finally turning the keeper 35 so as to engage the groove.

The panel 36 is similarly formed, although the window 33 may be omitted if desired, or the panel may be provided with a door. The corners of the panels 32 and 36 are provided with recesses 31 for accommodating the end coupling elements 2 and lateral coupling elements IT.

The hinge coupling 38 consists of a pair of elements 39, 39 of channel section having their flanges pivoted together at 40. The Webs 4| of the hinge elements are provided with inturned tongues 42 at their edges between the flanges and stops 43 adjacent one flange. These parts correspond to the parts [4, l4 and I5 of the end coupling elements2. The hinge elements are thus adapted to be detachably connected to the corner coupling members 26 in the same manner as the end coupling elements 2.

In some cases, it becomes desirable to use the adapter 44 between the end coupling elements 2, or between the latter and hinge couplings 38. The adapter 44 comprises a pair of substantially square dished plates 45, 45 arranged in back to back relation with their contiguous webs 46 secured together, the flanges 41 forming a peripheral groove therebetween opening to the four sides of the adapter. The parts are secured together by the tongues 48 cut from the web of one plate and extending through the slots 49 in the web of the other plate, the tongues being then turned to overlap the latter web. The tongues and slots are preferably arranged in line with the corners of the webs so that when the tongues are turned outwardly toward the corners, as shown, they hold the parts in fixed assembled relation. This desirable arrangement is the same as that connecting the faces of the hollow corner coupling elements to their plates.

The adapters 44 are shown in use in Fig. 1 between the hinge couplings 38 and the end coupling elements 2 of the inclined building member I.

In some cases, it is desirable to use a corner coupling element 25 instead of an adapter 44, as shown by the upper part of the construction illustrated by Fig. 1. In this connection, it is to be understood that I have illustrated only the essential parts of my building construction for clearness of illustration. A sufficient number of the different parts are furnished to make a complete building either in miniature or in full size. The parts are very easy to assemble and when assembled provide a structurally strong building. Further, the parts are readily detachable when it is desired to knock down the building for the erection of one of another type or size.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 12 of the drawings, the elongated building members 5| have their right end faces 52 spaced from the webs 53 of the end coupling elements 54. Further, the ends of the building members are of reduced section at 55 to provide. spaces between the walls of the coupling element and the sides of the building member. Each cup-shaped coupling element 54 is provided with T-shaped slots 56 therein arranged with the crosses 51 thereof in the base angles and the stems 58 in the side and end walls of the element, the slots being disposed over the reduced end section of the member and the end face thereof.

Aside from the fact that the end coupling elements 54 are formed from a single piece of sheet metal, they are similar to those described above as coupling elements 2 and are secured to the ends of the building members in a similar manner.

In the modification, the corner blocks or corner coupling elements 59 are in the form of hollow cubes of sheet metal, each of the faces being provided with a pair of tongues 60, 60 struck up therefrom for engagement with the walls of the end coupling elements 54 when the tongues are alined with the cross opening 51 of the selected T-slot 56 and the coupling elements are subsequently moved transversely to engage the parts.

The hinge coupling 6| is similar to the hinge coupling 38 described above, with the exception that the web of one hinge element is provided with a T-slot 62 [or coaction with the tongues 60, 6|] of the corner blocks and the other hinge element is provided with tongues (not shown) for ooaction with the T-slots 56 of the end coupling elements.

In the case of the modification, the inner ends of the stems 58 of the T-slots 56 constitute stops 63 for limiting the inward movement of the tongues 60, 60 of the corner blocks 54. If desired, the coupling elements 54 may be adapted to slide on and ofi the building members 5| although I prefer to secure the coupling elements to the building members to facilitate the assembly of the parts and to prevent damage thereto.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure. will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

1. In a building construction, the combination with an elongated building member of substanprising an inner channel having its web spaced from the end face of the building member and provided with spaced slots, the flanges of the channel overlapping opposite sides of the building member and having extensions adjacent the corners thereof, and an outer channel having its web overlapping the web of the inner channel and provided with tongues extending through said slots and securing the webs together, the flanges of the outer channel overlapping the other opposite sides of the building member and the side edges of the flanges of the inner channel and having lateral keepers overlapping said extensions and engaging the building member and the end edges of the flanges of the inner channel, the end element being provided with integral connecting means at its outer end up-struck from the web of said outer channel.

2. In a building construction, the combination with an elongated building member of substantially square cross section, of a cup-shaped end coupling element fitting the end of said building member and comprising flanges overlapping opposite sides of the building member and havmg extensions adjacent the corners thereof, and flanges overlapping the other opposite sides of the building member and having lateral keepers overlapping said extensions and engaging the building member, the end element being provided with integral connecting means at its outer end.

3. In a building construction, the combination with an elongated building member of substantially square cross section having an end of reduced section terminating in a right end face, of a cup-shaped element fitting the end of said building member and comprising a central webspaced from the end face of the building member and having opposed flanges overlapping opposite sides of the building member and having extensions adjacent the corners thereof, and opposed flanges overlapping the other opposite sides of the building member and the side edges of the first named flanges and having lateral keepers overlapping said extensions and engaging the building member and the end edges of the first named flanges.

4. In a building construction, the combination with an elongated building member, of a cupshaped element fitting the end of said building member and comprising a central web having opposed flanges overlapping opposite sides of the building member and having extensions adjacent the corners thereof, and opposed flanges overlapping the other opposite sides of the building member and the side edges of the first named flanges and having lateral keepers overlapping said extensions and engaging the building member and the end edges of the first named flanges.

5. In a building construction, the combination of a joint member adapted to receive and be secured to one end of a building element, said member having inturned parallel end flanges at opposite sides thereof and a stop flange at the third side thereof, the fourth side between said inturned flanges being open, and a joint member having lateral grooves adapted to receive said inturned flanges to form a joint by sliding said members together until the last named joint member is engaged by said stop flange.

6. In a building construction, the combination of a joint member adapted to receive and be secured to one end of a building element, said member having inturned parallel end flanges at opposite sides thereof, one side between said inturned flanges being open, and a joint member having lateral grooves adapted to receive said inturned flanges to form a joint by sliding said members together.

7. In a building construction, the combination of a joint member adapted to receive and be secured to one end of a building element, said member having parallel end flanges at opposite sides thereof, one side between said flanges being open, and a joint member having projecting members on a plurality of sides thereof to provide lateral grooves adapted to receive said flanges to form a joint by sliding said members together.

WILLIAM R. HODGINS. 

